For months, cliffside deaths have unsettled residents of Palos Verdes Estates, one of California’s most affluent oceanfront communities. Authorities have recovered multiple bodies and human remains from the steep cliffs along Paseo Del Mar, raising concerns about safety and the hidden dangers of the city’s scenic bluffs.
On October 30, police and firefighters recovered the body of an unidentified man near the 1400 block of Paseo Del Mar. Police Chief Luke Hellinga stated there were “no indications of foul play.” A similar case occurred on August 30 when another body was discovered nearby, with investigators again reporting no signs of criminal activity.
The grim discoveries follow a disturbing series of finds in late 2024. On November 16, a passerby found a skull and bones near Rat Beach. Weeks later, on Christmas Day, partial human remains washed ashore along the same stretch. “The cases showed no signs of foul play,” police confirmed.
In June 2025, officials announced that DNA testing linked several remains to missing individuals, including Mark Paulson, 68, lost in a 2021 boating accident; Raymond Simeroth, 57, who had medical issues; and Zhaoliang Tang, 62, a missing fisherman.
Authorities cite the coastline’s instability as a recurring hazard. Fire Captain Wade Kelsey described the terrain as “very unstable, very dangerous.” Despite repeated warnings, the area remains largely unfenced. Palos Verdes Estates—where the median household income exceeds $200,000 and homes average $2.69 million—continues to wrestle with how to protect both its residents and visitors from the perilous cliffs that border its ocean views.
